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Nuclear engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$133,970median pay per year, or $64.41 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $92,960lowest 10% earn less
  2. $108,69025th percentile
  3. $133,970median
  4. $163,63075th percentile
  5. $196,290top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Nuclear engineers had a median pay of $133,970 a year in May 2025, well above the median for all occupations[1][2]. The usual entry route is a bachelor's degree, and jobs are projected to grow 0.4% from 2025 to 2035[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.4%[4]
Openings per year
800[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[3]

How much do nuclear engineers make?

The median wage for a nuclear engineer was $133,970 a year, or $64.41 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less. The mean (average) wage was $140,420 a year[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[2].

The range is wide. Here are the annual wage percentiles:

Measure Annual wage Fact
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[5] $92,960
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[5] $108,690
Median[1] $133,970
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[5] $163,630
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[5] $196,290

BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, and each one is a boundary in the pay ranking of workers[8]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $44.69 and the 90th percentile was $94.37[9].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 18 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $195,190[11]. California followed at $172,400[11], then New Mexico at $164,300[11]. Maine had the lowest published median, at $123,780[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area had the highest median at $180,360[12]. Knoxville, TN came next at $179,660[12], then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $161,050[12].

Jobs are not spread evenly. South Carolina had the most nuclear engineer jobs at 1,440, followed by Washington at 1,380, California at 1,070, Illinois at 1,040 and Tennessee at 720[13]. The metro area with the most jobs was Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk at 1,260, where the median was $110,510[14].

Show median pay in 18 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$195,190230
California$172,4001,070
New Mexico$164,300500
Maryland$157,960180
Massachusetts$145,760210
New York$141,200150
Florida$135,400120
Illinois$134,5101,040
Idaho$133,970n/a
Pennsylvania$133,250340
Alabama$132,570290
Georgia$132,440200
North Carolina$131,850460
Michigan$129,940330
Washington$129,4801,380
Virginia$128,890n/a
Texas$128,340190
South Carolina$126,5701,440
Maine$123,780420

How to become a nuclear engineer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[3]. The path looks like this:

1) In high school, take math classes such as algebra, trigonometry and calculus, and science classes such as biology, chemistry and physics[15]. 2) Earn a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a closely related engineering field[16]. Entry-level jobs may also accept engineering technologies or a physical science degree[17]. Courses include calculus, physics and nuclear design, and some schools offer internships or co-op programs[18]. 3) Some jobs, such as research and development, call for a master's degree or a doctorate[17]. Some schools offer 5-year programs that combine a bachelor's and a master's degree[19]. 4) New employees at a nuclear power plant usually complete onsite safety training[20]. Its length depends on the employer and the plant. Engineers also train every year on laws, regulations and safety procedures[20].

In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 81% said a bachelor's degree is required and 19% said a master's degree[21]. That is a small group, so treat it as a rough sketch.

Licenses. A license is not required for entry-level jobs. Experienced engineers may get a Professional Engineering (PE) license[22]. State licensure typically takes an engineering degree, a passing score on the FE exam, several years of work experience and a passing score on the PE exam[23]. Each state issues its own license[24]. Nuclear engineers may also be licensed as a Senior Reactor Operator by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission[25].

Military service is one way some nuclear engineers get their training, and related military experience may help in moving to a civilian job[26].

What nuclear engineers do

Nuclear engineers research and apply nuclear science to the use and control of nuclear energy and to nuclear waste disposal[27]. Typical tasks from O*NET include:

Where they work

Nuclear engineers typically work in offices. The office location depends on the industry. People in power generation work in power plants. Federal government jobs include the military, regulatory agencies and national laboratories. Others work for consulting firms[29]. Nuclear electric power generation was the largest employer, at 21% of nuclear engineers in 2025[30].

They work with mechanical and electrical engineers to fit other systems into their designs[31]. BLS says most nuclear engineers work full time, and schedules vary by industry[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of nuclear engineers to grow 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, a gain of about 100 jobs[4]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[33]. So this is a slow-growing field.

BLS expects about 800 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.9% of nuclear engineers leave the labor force and 2.9% move to a different occupation[34].

The projection counts include self-employed workers, who were 5.7% of nuclear engineers in 2025[4][35]. The wage survey counted about 15,280 wage and salary jobs[36]. The two counts measure different things.

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a well-paid field that asks for a bachelor's degree and no related experience at entry[1][3]. Pay across the middle half of workers ran from $108,690 to $163,630[5]. The field is small, and projected growth of 0.4% is below the 3.5% for all occupations[4][33]. Jobs are concentrated in certain states and metro areas[13][14]. If you like safety-focused work in offices and plants, and can live where the jobs are, the pay and training facts are worth weighing. The facts here do not cover school costs or total years of study.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a nuclear engineer make an hour?
The median wage was $64.41 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $44.69 and the 90th percentile was $94.37[9].
What degree do you need to be a nuclear engineer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[3]. The degree can be in nuclear engineering or a closely related engineering field[16].
Do nuclear engineers need a license?
Not for entry-level positions[22]. Experienced engineers may get a PE license[22].
Are nuclear engineers in demand?
BLS projects 0.4% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 800 openings a year[4][33][6].
What is the highest paying state for nuclear engineers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $195,190[11]. California was next at $172,400[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Nuclear Engineers in the US was $133,970 per year and $64.41 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Nuclear Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Nuclear Engineers is projected to grow 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 16,600 to 16,600 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Nuclear Engineers: 10th percentile $92,960, 25th percentile $108,690, 75th percentile $163,630, 90th percentile $196,290. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 800 openings for Nuclear Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Nuclear Engineers was $140,420 per year and $67.51 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Nuclear Engineers: 10th percentile $44.69, 25th percentile $52.26, 75th percentile $78.67, 90th percentile $94.37. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Nuclear Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Nuclear Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $180,360; Knoxville, TN $179,660; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $161,050; Kennewick-Richland, WA $156,460; Chattanooga, TN-GA $146,850; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $144,830; Syracuse, NY $141,200; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $140,590. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Nuclear Engineers jobs: South Carolina 1,440; Washington 1,380; California 1,070; Illinois 1,040; Tennessee 720. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Nuclear Engineers jobs: Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 1,260 (median $110,510); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 840 (median $180,360); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 710 (median $134,510); Portland-South Portland, ME 370 (median $120,430); Richmond, VA 350 (median $140,460); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 330 (median $161,050). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 17-2161.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 81%, Master's Degree 19% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Nuclear Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Nuclear Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of nuclear engineers in 2025: Nuclear electric power generation 21%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Nuclear Engineers: 1.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections: 5.7% of Nuclear Engineers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 15,280 people were employed as Nuclear Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.